New Jersey wineries see advantages in bills that would let them make more and sell more widely

By Matt Connolly
staff writer
Local wineries are keeping a close watch on potential benefits offered by a group of bills pending in the state legislature.
“As far as business goes, the less restrictions on us the better,” said Brian Mulligan, winemaker at Cream Ridge Winery in Cream Ridge.
One bill, introduced by Assemblywoman Celeste M. Riley, D-Bridgeton, would establish a winery-brewery sublicense that would permit wineries to produce malt alcoholic beverages and hard cider for retail sale. A farm licensed to produce such products would be required to be actively engaged in farming on or adjacent to the brewery site and to actively cultivate hops or other products used in the production of the malt alcoholic beverages.
“If we can produce other beverages, we can hopefully bring in more customers,” said Mulligan. “It’s an added bonus.”

Michael Mancuso / The Times of TrentonMark Carduner, of Silver Decoy Winery, checks the progress of wine from a barrel in 2006. This wine is the first harvest of sangiovese grown on their property

A second bill introduced by Riley would establish a cooperative farm winery license, allowing farms growing grapes on at least three acres to enter into an agreement with at least one other individual or entity also involved in the growing and cultivating of grapes on at least three acres.
“This is a great way to help smaller ‘mom and pop’ farms venture into the market while also promoting Jersey pride,” Riley said in a statement. “Farm winery cooperatives would be required to use grapes and fruits grown in New Jersey in order to meet the labeling requirements as ‘New Jersey Wine.’ Essentially, we’re giving small business owners the tools to go out and earn a living while promoting our state in a positive way.” Riley is co-sponsoring a third bill to permit the direct shipping of wine to New Jersey consumers and allow in-state wineries to ship to other states. This bill has received approval by the Senate and is pending action by the Assembly Regulatory Oversight and Gaming Committee.
“The ability to ship wine would certainly help the wineries in New Jersey,” said Mark Carduner, winemaker at Silver Decoy winery in East Windsor.
Carduner noted that states like New York and Virginia have passed legislation to benefit their in-state wineries.
“Other states around us have seen a lot of activity on the part of their governments,” he said. “They’re really encouraging the growth of local wineries.”
In 1918, according to Carduner, the Garden State produced the second most wine of any state in the U.S. After prohibition, however, laws restricted the state from returning to that height.
“States were allowed to have one winery for every one million residents,” he said. “That rule stuck until the eighties.”
Riley said that New Jersey is currently the fifth-largest wine producing state in the country.
While the legislation is still pending, Carduner thinks the local wine industry’s future is bright.
“The business is growing quite quickly,” he said. “You couldn’t ask for a better place to grow grapes.”